Introduction

[Juane]

I just stumbled on this forum.
Wow, what a resource!
I'm diving right in.

I've been around LCs for a while - starting with a '73 40 in high school.
After a long hiatus got back into it with this 60.
After years of wonderful family wheeling with the High Desert Cruisers in New Mexico the 60 got replaced with the FZJ80.

I admit, I'm a fan of small bock Chevys. I love my Toyotas, but I'm not a purist. finally, I'm not a diesel guy. Okay, now that that is out the way...

I recently picked up a totaled '98 Tahoe on a whim. After pulling the first generation 5.7 Vortec , L460E, harness and every other part I could think of I sold the carcass for parts and ended up making a few bucks. So the engine and tranny I got for nothing.

With 200k miles on the clock I thought a rebuild in order. Now, the engine is my garage fresh from the machine shop and waiting to get reassembled.
Once that happens I will be faced with:

1. Swapping it in the 80 (165k miles and getting slow on the Colorado passes).
2. Building a 40.

I'm leaning toward the former. I always though a V8 FZJ would be the ultimate expedition rig.

So. I'm starting to research the 10,000 details and I'm looking forward to milking the collective wisdom and experience on this list.

Thanks!
Juane

 

[NorCalLC]

Welcome to ExPo. That 60 is beautiful, makes me want one still.

The V8 swap is another item thats on my list of wants, so I'll be watching for your build up in the future.

 

[Willman]

Nice list of LC!

Welcome to the ExPo!

Keep us posted on your 8v swap!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Welcome to ExPo!

 

[FourByLand]

Welcome aboard and feel free to share you adventures.

Beautiful Cruisers as well. :sombrero:

 

[Juane]

As you can imagine, there is a story behind this paint scheme.
Recently divorced - so, brain in funk mode.
Sitting on the porch drinking beer with a buddy.
Our kids are finger painting on the side walk.
Suddenly, I had an IDEA.
Hey girls, smear your hand with paint and leave a print here.
Well, there were four girls...
then the rest of the neighborhood kids showed up.

How was I to know how durable acrylic paint is?
It stayed that way for 6 or 8 months.
We got some great comments. One in particular from a woman in at a rest stop to my daughters: "Your dad must love you very much."

I finally got tired of the attention and after about $50 in quarters at the car wash and lots of elbow grease it's mostly back to white.

 

[FourByLand]

Ah, I wondered. It makes for a great conversation starter!

The best part of all is that the kids will have that fond memory forever.

 

[MNicho]

Juane,

I love the kid's paint job...no doubt, those kids will never forget that.

Thanks for the great cruiser pics.